A/HRC/60/62 other is reportedly perceived to be an advocate of the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. One of the individuals was allegedly followed and monitored by state actors at the United Nations, and the other was subjected to intimidation and harassment online, that exposed the individual concerned to risk of harm, in connection to United Nations engagement. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of intimidation and reprisals. 4. Belarus 13. During the reporting period, Mr. Maksim Pazniakou, acting Chairperson of the nowoutlawed Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), was charged in absentia with offences that fall under Article 361 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus No. 275 of 9 July 1999. This provision relates, to public calls for actions that may harm national security, including appeals for sanctions,. GB.353/INS/7/(Rev.1) According to information received by OHCHR, the legal proceedings against him, as well as ongoing harassment against his relatives in Belarus, appear to be directly linked to his cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) (GB.353/NSP/PV, para 223). 14. Following the commencement of criminal proceedings against Mr. Pazniakou, state officials reportedly conducted five visits to the residence of his 75-year-old mother, where he remains officially registered. These visits included one search of the premises, three interrogations, and one attempt to locate him. During these visits, officials informed his mother that he had been placed on a national “wanted” list. However, no procedural documents were presented to her, nor did she receive any formal notification or legal documentation. The repeated visits and interactions have reportedly caused significant emotional distress to Mr. Pazniakou’s elderly mother. Her advanced age, combined with the psychological impact of these events, have reportedly affected her well-being and her memory. 15. During the reporting period, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus stated that individuals who fled Belarus face extraterritorial persecution7 and that those that remain in the country live in an atmosphere of fear, censorship and self-censorship. (A/HRC/59/59, para. 3) The Special Rapporteur noted further that families of many prisoners avoid contact with human rights defenders and with mandate holders, owing to fear of retaliation by the authorities and urged the Government to ensure protection from reprisals for anyone engaging with them. (A/HRC/59/59, para. 45, 88 a) 16. According to information received by OHCHR, the environment of fear and intimidation among Belarussian citizens living in neighbouring third countries has contributed to self-censorship, which reportedly inhibits cooperation with the United Nations. The Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus reported that fears have been further exacerbated by recent developments indicating the use of enhanced digital surveillance, both in the country and abroad, and the launching of criminal proceedings in absentia against hundreds of Belarusians in exile(A/HRC/58/68 paras 33, 58-59, 63-65). 17. In its 2025 resolution on the situation of human rights in Belarus, the Human Rights Council urged the Belarusian authorities to establish full and non-selective engagement with all United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Group of Independent Experts, and to refrain from all forms of intimidation and reprisals against persons and associations for their cooperation with those mechanisms (A/HRC/RES/58/19). 18. On 16 July 2025, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report noting that Mr. Pazniakou had been charged on 31 December 2024 with crimes under Article 361 (parts 1 and 2) of the Criminal Code, and that due to the inability to locate him, the preliminary investigation had been suspended. The Government further noted that the criminal prosecution of Mr. Pazniakou related to his alleged cooperation with an extremist group and to his interaction with the United Nations, and in particular with the ILO, and noted that the questioning of relatives is a standard investigative practice. 7 See also https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/01/belarus-un-experts-alarmed-aboutwidespread-absentia-trials. 19